Delhi Government restricts hospital beds to Delhi residents only

Last updated on February 14th, 2023 at 11:10 am

In the interest of helping city dwellers manage the corona virus pandemic, the Delhi government has now decided to close admission to private and public hospitals within city bounds to its residents only. While specialty hospitals can be used by everyone, beds with the Delhi government will be reserved temporarily for local residents only.

Speaking to Dr. Rundeep Guleria, AIIMS Director on the Delhi government decision, he said, “We are Indian citizens and therefore such arbitrary barriers that are not ethical right, for those who might be coming from Bihar for example and refuse him treatment.”

Quoting the expert committee report, CM Arvind Kejriwal has said, that the Delhi government would eventually need another 15000 beds by the end of June. These are based on projections made by the committee, looking at the way the number of Corona virus cases is on the rise in Delhi itself.

Delhi borders will now be opened but admission to hospitals will remain limited to Delhi residents only. Even NCR regions will not be entertained. This is a temporary arrangement till the time the COVID-19 cases can be brought down.

Speaking to media, APP spokesperson has said that “Delhi infrastructure had the capacity to cater to the whole country but the situation currently isn’t allowing it to do so. Corona has caused exceptional circumstances and cases of the rise; we will not have enough beds to cater to the residents. This is a temporary arrangement and we are hoping the neighbouring states are well prepared by now to handle the cases on their end.”

The decision, Mr Kejriwal said, was made on the advice of a special five-member committee of doctors formed. “The committee has estimated that the 9,000 beds that are currently with us will be taken over in three days if we allow people from other states to take admission,” Mr Kejriwal said at a virtual press conference.

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With this move, (hopefully), the black marketing scandals around private Delhi hospitals that were coming to light will stop. Mr. Kejriwal had worded strong action against such facilities and said that the Delhi government intends to depute medical professionals at all hospitals who will update availability of beds for coronavirus patients at an official app and ensure admission of such patients. No hospital had the right to deny admission to anyone on any pretext of black marketing beds and charging those who can afford exorbitant charges.